WHO Suspects Marburg Virus Behind Eight Deaths in Tanzania
A potential outbreak raises concerns, following recent fatalities in Rwanda.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Tuesday that a potential outbreak of the Marburg virus in Tanzania has resulted in eight fatalities.
During a press briefing, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, 'We are aware of nine cases so far, including eight deaths.
We expect more cases in the coming days as disease surveillance improves.' He added that 'the WHO has offered its full support to the Government of Tanzania and affected communities.'
This alert follows closely on the heels of a three-month-long Marburg virus outbreak in neighboring Rwanda, which resulted in 15 deaths.
The Marburg virus causes a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever.
It is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and belongs to the same family as the Ebola viruses.
The mortality rate for those infected can reach up to 90%, often accompanied by symptoms such as bleeding and organ failure.
According to the WHO, the Kagera region witnessed its first Marburg virus outbreak in March 2023, persisting for nearly two months.
During this period, nine people contracted the virus, and six succumbed to the illness.
The WHO noted that 'animal reservoirs, such as fruit bats, remain endemic to the area.'
The WHO describes Marburg virus disease as causing 'severe viral hemorrhagic fever in humans, with symptoms including fever, headache, back pain, muscle pain, and abdominal pain, vomiting, confusion, and diarrhea, as well as bleeding in very late stages.' The organization warns that 'despite its rarity, Marburg virus disease remains a serious public health threat due to its high mortality rate and the lack of effective antiviral treatments or vaccines.'
In its statement, the UN-affiliated organization explained that its assessment of the national-level risk of virus outbreak in Tanzania as 'high' is due to several worrisome factors.
Chief among these is the high known mortality rate of 89%, the currently unknown source of the outbreak, and the reported cases being spread across two regions, indicating 'geographic spread' of the disease.
The organization highlighted that 'delays in detecting and isolating cases, coupled with ongoing contact tracing' suggest an incomplete 'understanding of the outbreak' exists.
The WHO also rated the risk of regional spread as high, citing Kagera’s strategic location as a transit hub with significant cross-border population movement with Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The statement also noted that some suspected cases have been recorded in areas near international borders, 'emphasizing the potential for disease spread to neighboring countries.' In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tedros recommended, 'neighboring countries remain alert and ready to manage potential cases.
At this time, we do not recommend any travel or trade restrictions with Tanzania.'
The organization reassured that the Marburg virus does not spread easily, requiring contact with body fluids of a patient exhibiting overt symptoms.
Concerning global transmission risk, the WHO commented that it is 'low,' as there is no confirmed global spread at this stage, though it stressed the necessity for enhanced surveillance.
During a press briefing, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, 'We are aware of nine cases so far, including eight deaths.
We expect more cases in the coming days as disease surveillance improves.' He added that 'the WHO has offered its full support to the Government of Tanzania and affected communities.'
This alert follows closely on the heels of a three-month-long Marburg virus outbreak in neighboring Rwanda, which resulted in 15 deaths.
The Marburg virus causes a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever.
It is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and belongs to the same family as the Ebola viruses.
The mortality rate for those infected can reach up to 90%, often accompanied by symptoms such as bleeding and organ failure.
According to the WHO, the Kagera region witnessed its first Marburg virus outbreak in March 2023, persisting for nearly two months.
During this period, nine people contracted the virus, and six succumbed to the illness.
The WHO noted that 'animal reservoirs, such as fruit bats, remain endemic to the area.'
The WHO describes Marburg virus disease as causing 'severe viral hemorrhagic fever in humans, with symptoms including fever, headache, back pain, muscle pain, and abdominal pain, vomiting, confusion, and diarrhea, as well as bleeding in very late stages.' The organization warns that 'despite its rarity, Marburg virus disease remains a serious public health threat due to its high mortality rate and the lack of effective antiviral treatments or vaccines.'
In its statement, the UN-affiliated organization explained that its assessment of the national-level risk of virus outbreak in Tanzania as 'high' is due to several worrisome factors.
Chief among these is the high known mortality rate of 89%, the currently unknown source of the outbreak, and the reported cases being spread across two regions, indicating 'geographic spread' of the disease.
The organization highlighted that 'delays in detecting and isolating cases, coupled with ongoing contact tracing' suggest an incomplete 'understanding of the outbreak' exists.
The WHO also rated the risk of regional spread as high, citing Kagera’s strategic location as a transit hub with significant cross-border population movement with Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The statement also noted that some suspected cases have been recorded in areas near international borders, 'emphasizing the potential for disease spread to neighboring countries.' In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tedros recommended, 'neighboring countries remain alert and ready to manage potential cases.
At this time, we do not recommend any travel or trade restrictions with Tanzania.'
The organization reassured that the Marburg virus does not spread easily, requiring contact with body fluids of a patient exhibiting overt symptoms.
Concerning global transmission risk, the WHO commented that it is 'low,' as there is no confirmed global spread at this stage, though it stressed the necessity for enhanced surveillance.
